RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Former Democratic state delegate Jay Jones has filed paperwork to run for Virginia attorney general in 2025.
The Virginia Department of Elections accepted Jones’ statement of organization – paperwork needed to launch a campaign – on Aug. 28.
Jones, an attorney, represented Norfolk in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2018 until the end of 2021, when he resigned his seat to focus on family — as he and his wife were getting ready for their first child.
A Norfolk native, Jones lost to former Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring for the Democratic Party’s nomination in 2021. Herring ultimately lost to Attorney General Jason Miyares (R).
“Jay remains solely focused on the critical elections in November, which is why he is in Newport News today campaigning for the Harris-Walz ticket,” Jones’ staff wrote in a statement. “Any formal announcement will come after those elections have concluded.”
A coalition of Democrats led by former Gov. Ralph Northam has gotten behind Jones via a political action committee, although Jones has not officially announced he’s running again.
With the paperwork, Jones becomes the second Democrat to submit paperwork for an attorney general run in 2025, joining Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor.
Called “the commonwealth’s law firm,” Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General can conduct or assist certain criminal investigations and prosecutions, provide information to the public on scams and enforce state consumer protection laws.
Among several other duties, the attorney general can also issue official legal opinions to lawmakers and give legal advice and representation to the governor and state government agencies.
The AG’s office also works with Virginia’s law enforcement agencies “to prepare for emerging public safety threats and to promote successful, secure communities.”
